Soap dispenser



May 22, 1951 L, WEBB 2,554,393

SOAP DISPENSER Filed Nov. 28, 1947 f4 fra/e N? Patented May 22, 1951 SOAP DISPENSER Leslie Webb, Wyoming, Ohio, assignor to The Hunnewell Soap Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application November 28, 1947, Serial No. 788,513

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved detergent dispenser and is particularly directed to a combined detergent package and dispenser for use in automatic dish washing machines and the like.

Conventionally the saponaceous water solution used for wash water in automatic dish Washing machines is mixed directly in the machine and is compounded by the machine attendant who adds quantities of powdered soap or alkalies to the hot water circulating in the machine, at periodic intervals. Obviously, this method is wasteful and inefficient. For example, the wash water is seldom maintained at a constant strength or in a uniform solution, varying from a very strong solution immediately after the introduction of each fresh detergent charge, to a very weak solution immediately prior to the introduction of the next charge. Moreover, the strength of the solution is dependent upon the judgment and memory of the machine attendant who, not infrequently, forgets to add a fresh detergent charge at the proper time or tends to add too much detergent, with the result that he usually hasa solution which is too weak or one which is supersaturated.

Detergent powder of the type used for washing dishes usually consists of a mixture of powdered alkalies, each of which is of a diiferent grain size. For convenience, it is usually purchased in bulk quantities, being shipped and stored in barrels and is not uniformly mixed within the barrels, having been shaken and sifted during the shipping and storage process until the coarse grained alkalies are disposed at the top of the barrel and the ne grained alkalies are sifted to the bottom. Consequently the soap which is drawn from the top of the barrel is frequently of an entirely different composition from the mixture drawn from the bottom of the barrel. water may operate with varying degrees of efficiency as the soap supply in the barrel diminishes.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple inexpensive detergent dispenser which will, when placed in an automatic dish washing machine, collect hot water from the `circulation system of the machine, mix the water with a quantity of detergent and discharge the detergent saturated liquid back into the circulation system of the machine. Hence, a uniform, homogeneous solution of constant strength, is added to the wash water at all times during operation of the machine, automatically supplying the correct amount of alkaline strength as it is needed.

Hence, the alkaline solution in the washv (Cl. 20G-0.5)

It is a further object of this invention to provide a detergent dispenser in the form of a compact, durable package structure which vwill preserve and protect the compound during shipment and storage and maintain its effectiveness until it is used.

The detergent dispenser to which the present invention is directed preferably comprises a receptacle containing a quantity of alkali or soap, preferably in solid or cake form, a cover which closes the top of the receptacle and constitutes a collection chamber for hot water drawn from the circulation system of the machine, a series of entry ports formed in the lid, through which the water collected in the lid passes into the in.- terior of the receptacle, and a series of exit ports in the receptacle wall from which the alkaline solution is discharged into the circulation system of the machine. From the foregoing general description and ther following detailed description, the various modifications and further advantages of the invention will be readily apparent.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a conventional dish washing machine of'the type in Vlgeneral use in restaurants, showing the dispenser of the present invention positioned for use therein. f

Figure 2 is a top plan View of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing indicia indented or imprinted in the top surface of the cover to indicate the location of the entryl ports.

Figure 3 is a top plan view, partially in section, showing the entry ports perforated in the lid and the dispenser ready for use.

Figure 4 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the structure shown in Figure 2. f

, Figure 5 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the structure shown in Figure 3'.

In its preferred embodiment, the dispenser of this invention consists of a casing l0, preferably of cylindrical form, Within which a quantity of solid compounded alkalies Il is contained, and a top or lid l2 having a marginal flange I3 fitted over, and in frictional engagement with the outer surface of the casing wall. A peripheral rim I4 extends upwardly from the plane surface of the top and forms with the top, a shallow basin 25 to collect and retain wash water splashed in the top of the dispenser from the circulation system of the machine.

When the device is in operation, the Water col# lected in the basin portion 25 of the lid enters the interior of the dispenser through a plurality of entry ports l5 formed in the lid and after miie Ving with the compound is discharged from a series of exit ports I6 formed in the side wall of the container at or above the initial compound level. To indicate the proper location of the entry and exit ports, suitable indicia may be stamped on the surface of the container or alternatively indentations or score areas may be provided. Since the top Vand casing are fabricated from any thin walled, inexpensive waterproof material,'such as tin coated iron sheet or paraffin treated cardboard, it will be appreciated that the material may be preforated by any sharp pointed instrument and the ports opened quite easily by the machine attendant. Thus, in Figure 5, the

opened ports are shown formed in the manner described. l

Obviously, almost any form of dishwashing detergent of saponaceous or alkaline nature may be used in the container, but a solid or cake form is particularly contemplated since it dissolves more slowly, and at a uniform rate, providing a uniformly homogeneous solution of con stant strength. In fact, it has been found that extremely satisfactory results are obtained when a pre-boiled anhydrous mixture of lvarious alkalies selected on the basis of their grease-emulsifying and water softening properties is used. A selection of various alkalies of this type is commercially available and well known to those skilled in the art. Preferably the quantity of detergent originally placed in the container extends just below the level of the exit ports as best illustrated in Figure 4.

In Figure 1 the dispenser of the present in vention is shown in operation in a typical automatic dish washing machine. The drawing of the` machine is largely diagrammatic, it being understood that the dispenser may be used in almost any conventional type of dish washer. The machine shown comprises essentially, a cabinet I'i within which a hot water delivery tube I8 is disposed, and a reservoir I9 located inthe bottom of the cabinet to collect the wash water after it has been sprayed over the dishes. An endless belt 26 passes longitudinally through the cabinet and serves to carry a rack 2| within which the dirty dishes 22 are stacked. Hot wash water is continuously circulated through the delivery tube and is sprayed downwardly over the dishes as` the rack passes through the cabinet, emerging from a series of holes 23 in the delivery pipe and coliecting in the reservoir I9 after impinging on and draining from the dishesA The water, thus collected in the reservoir, receives a fresh supply of alkaline solution from the dispenser and is recirculated through the machine after passing through a drain pipe 24, thereafter being pumped back through the delivery tube I8.

The operation of the dispenser is best understood by reference to Figures 1 and 5. The dispenser is placed in the reservoir at the bottom ofthe dish washer cabinet so that the cover is exposedto the descending wash water while the v'exit ports are located above the water line o'f the reservoir. Normally, the water in the reservoir is comparatively shallow and the location of the exit ports will be substantially above the water level, but in the event that the waterlevel is high, the dispenser may be placed on a suitable elevating member such as a block. t is necessary to arrange the ports above the water level so that the pressure exerted by the water on the inside of the container is resisted only by air pressure on the outside of the container, thereby assuring a constant discharge from the ports.

Some of the water descending from the delivery pipe and draining from the dishes is collected in the basin like top of the dispenser and is retained therein by the peripheral rim I4. This water passes through the entry ports and falls within the dispenser where lit contacts and dissolves the exposed portion 'of the compound. The solution thus formed is driven to the surface and ejected from the exit ports by the incoming water which tends to agitate the solution contained in the dispenser. Another factor which tends to increase this agitation is that in most types of dish washers, the water which enters the container is not clear water but is 'to some extent saturated with grease and food particles. This newv water tends to sink to the bottom and serves to eject the alkaline saturated water. It is obvious, that through this arrangement, a uniformly strong solution is -discharged constantly into the reservoir. It wil' be seen that absolutely no waste of compound occurs, it being impossible for the solution to become oversaturated or to carry oi particles of undissolved alkali. At the same time there is always suflicient compound to provide 'a good washing solution. functions as effectively when the compound level is low as it does when the level is high, it will be appreciated that the entire charge of compound in the container is used completely In the event that the machine is stopped before the entire charge is used, the water in the dispenser may be poured off and the compound saved until the machine is ready for use again.

While the invention has been disclosed with particular reference to a mechanical dish washer, it will be obvious that the utility is not necessarily limited to this particular eld and that the structure will function in practically any kind of dish washing pan or sink,

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A combination detergent package and dis"- penser comprising; an open topped casing having side walls and a base, a quantity of solid detergent disposed within said casing and completely filling the lower portion thereof, said solid detergent having its upper surface in spaced relation to the top of the casing, a cover for said casing, said cover having a dished out upper surface forming a liquid receptacle, said cover having a plurality of entry ports formed therein communicating with the interior of said casing, and said `'side walls having a plurality of exit ports for-med therein above the upper surface of the detergent, whereby water collected in said cover will enter the dispenser through said entry ports and after mixing with said detergent will be discharged from said exit ports.

2. A disposable detergent package and dispenser comprising; a casing having side walls and a base, a quantity of solid detergent material disposed within said casing and completely filling the lower portion thereof, said solid detergent having its upper surface in spaced relation to the top of the casing, a cover for said casing having an upwardiy extending flange and forminasmuch as the dispenser' 5 surface of the detergent whereby Water will be collected in said cover, enter the interior of said 6 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date casmg through sald cover openmgs, and dls- 1,640,319 Halsey Aug 23, 1927 charge through said casing Openings. 1,941,125 Barsky Dec, 26, 1933 LESLIE WEBB- 5 1,961,278 chandler e1; a1 June 5, 1934 2,455,212 Baumner, Jr. Nov. 30, 1948 REFERENCES CITED FOREIGN PATENTS The following references are of record in the Number Country Date Australia July 1, 1931 le of this patent: 10 27,573 

